Page 54 of House Ignis

Ember slowly slid lower in her seat next to me.

"What the fuck just happened?" she whispered.

The professor reclaimed the room with a single, icy look. "Miss Pyreson," she said smoothly, "today is important." Her gaze swept across the rest of the students.

"Can anyone tell me what day it is?"

Silence followed, punctuated only by shifting glances.

"It's… the full moon?" someone finally ventured.

"Correct." She nodded. "Tonight marks Azura's Ascendance—a pinnacle of elemental magic. You may notice your magic flaring. Emotions heightened. Control will be… challenging." Her eyes lingered on me for a pointed half-second. "Your boundlings will be affected as well."

Aether's flame-tipped ears flicked.

"Our first rune today is Swiftstride."

She drew it in the air with a flick of her fingers. It burned briefly—sleek, elegant lines like wind carved into light.

"This rune channels speed. Etch it correctly, and you'll experience a temporary magical surge."

I bounced slightly in my seat, the restlessness in my blood finally finding a focus. Beside me, Aether let out a low, hungry purr.

"This," he rumbled, "we can do."

Ember swatted my arm. "Okay, nerd. Let's see if those glowy ears actually help you run."

We followed Miss Waterstone through the back doors into a sprawling stone courtyard framed by obsidian lanterns and flowering vines.

Above, the pale ghost of the full moon hung in the sky, a silent reminder of the power surging through the atmosphere.

"Line up!" the professor called, her voice echoing off the stone.

"First to cross the far mark earns points for their House. But remember—only those who etched the rune properly will feel its full effect."

I focused, drawing the Swiftstride rune onto my forearm. As the final stroke connected, it pulsed with a warm silver heat that seeped into my bone. Perfect.

Ember stood to my left, bouncing on her toes like she might ignite the pavement for fun. Maddy lined up on my other side, pink shimmer already flickering along her skin, with Ryven just beyond her. He'd tied his dark hair into a low man-bun, loose strands brushing a jawline that looked particularly sharp today as he rolled his shoulders.

Then there was Asher. He took the spot to my right. Too close. Too calm.

Seraphina waited a few paces down, composed as ever with Nyssa perched on her shoulder, while Ezra stared dejectedly at his arm. "Uh… mine's not glowing."

Darcy didn't even look at him. "That's because you were flirting instead of paying attention."

Miss Waterstone raised her hand. "Ready!"

Aether's tail flicked beside me, his mind brushing mine with a predatory hunger. Show them, flame one.

"Set…"

The rune flared white-hot.

"Go!"

Magic detonated. Wind tore past my ears as the world blurred. Ember was a streak of crimson fire to my left, her laughter lost to the rush. Ryven moved in smooth, controlled bursts of air, Maddy light and precise beside him.

Asher matched me stride for stride. Of course he did. I could feel the cold hum of his shadows pressing against my heat, a silent challenge in every lunging step.